LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP): A man charged with starting a house fire near Lafayette that killed a 6-year-old girl decided to plead guilty a day after declaring his innocence in court.
Thirty-three-year-old Ryan Moynagh pleaded guilty in a Tippecanoe County court Tuesday to murder and arson charges for last year's fire death of Katelyn Lane. Moynagh had been expected to enter that plea on Monday, but told the judge he didn't commit the crime.
Defense attorney Kevin O'Reilly tells WLFI-TV that Moynagh had anxiety issues during Monday's court hearing.
The Journal & Courier reports the plea agreement calls for Moynagh to be sentenced to at least 71 years in prison. If he had gone to trial, he could've faced life in prison without parole.